Advantage Notre Dame? Irish Defense Vs. No. 4 Clemson's Offense
The Fighting Irish must dominate on defense if they’re going to upset No. 4 Clemson inside Notre Dame Saturday on Saturday.
Given Clemson’s scheme and talent at offensive skill positions, that’s easier said than done.
“There’s speed on the edge and an offensive structure that stretches you, that makes you play the width of the field and gets the ball into the hands of their playmakers,” defensive coordinator Al Golden said.
In years past, such a feat may have felt impossible, but the 2022 Tiger offense has taken a step back with D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback.
In fact, the Tigers are pedestrian offensively when they don’t have a future first-round NFL Draft pick under center (which further underscores Notre Dame’s desire to ramp up quarterback recruiting).
With Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson at QB
2015: 514.5 YPG (11th)
2016: 503.7 YPG (12th)
2018: 527.2 YPG (3rd)
2019: 528.7 YPG (5th)
2020: 502.3 (10th)
With D.J. Uiagalelei and Kelly Bryant at QB
2017: 429.6 YPG (38th)
2021: 359.2 YPG (99th)
2022: 421.5 YPG (48th)
Of course, Notre Dame could still face a future first-rounder at quarterback if blue-chip freshman signal-caller Cade Klubnik enters the game, as he did in Clemson’s comeback win over Syracuse two weeks ago.
Klubnik played the final 19:35 of the game, but head coach Dabo Swinney has still declared Uiagalelei as the team's unquestioned starter.
“Every game’s its own dynamic,” Golden said, “so I don't really know what all went into that decision in that game, but I've been nothing but impressed with the young man.”
Clemson averages 236.1 pass yards per game (71st), but Uiagalelei has been moderately productive this season. He’s completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,803 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s thrown four interceptions, but three of those came in his last three starts.
For Notre Dame to have success on Saturday, it’ll have to start up front.
Clemson has a big, talented offensive line comprised of former four-star prospects and veterans, yet they lack the physicality to matchup up with the Fighting Irish front seven on a consistent basis.
Clemson ranks 50th with 1.75 sacks allowed per game but they’ve rarely seen a pass rush on Notre Dame’s level this season.
Clemson 2022 FBS Opponent Sacks Per Game
- Georgia Tech: 2.00 SPG (76th)
- Louisiana Tech: 1.00 SGP (126th)
- Wake Forest: 2.25 SPG (56th)
- North Carolina State: 1.50 SPG (107th)
- Boston College: 2.00 SPG (76th)
- Florida State: 2.88 SPG (22nd)
- Syracuse: 2.38 SPG (50th)
Only Florida State has a pass rush on par with Notre Dame’s (16th), and the Seminoles got home for three sacks against Clemson. Uiagalelei played well that game, connecting on 15 of 23 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, but the Tigers probably should have lost. Florida State outgained them on offense by 100 yards but still fell 34-28.
The biggest challenge for Notre Dame’s defensive line will be to stay in their rush lanes and keep Uiagalelei contained in the pocket.
Down 15 pounds, he’s a more agile runner than he was as a freshman or sophomore. He’s already surpassed his 2021 rushing total and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry, up a whole yard from the year prior.
“If you don't keep him in the pocket, he's gone,” Golden said. “Anytime he carries the ball, they have an extra blocker, which is a challenge. Someone has to beat a block or you have to change your structure.”
Clemson averages 185.4 yards per game (41st) on the ground with sophomore running back Will Shipley leading the Tigers in yards from scrimmage with 892 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s averaging 6.0 yards per carry and 92.38 rush yards per game.
The key will be to prevent Shipley from picking up chunk plays on the ground. He ranks 13th in the FBS in rushes of 20 yards or greater and is excellent after contact.
Likely the biggest threat the Irish face against Clemson is the unknown. The Tigers are coming off a bye week and already run more trick plays than the majority of college football teams.
“Idle time leads to creativity, no doubt about it,” Golden said, “and it's hard to be more creative than they are right now. They'll run gadgets anywhere on the field and make you pay for it… You can literally get to the point where you're worried about all these things because you build a book on somebody, and now you're looking at 50 of them.
“We’ve got to get ready for a bunch of them. They're probably as good as anybody in the country at doing it.”
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